Let’s Dance

Lady Gaga Plans David Bowie Tribute at the Grammy Awards

It’s going to be a fashion-inspired medley of some of Bowie’s classics.
This image may contain David Bowie Human Person Lady Gaga Face Premiere Fashion and Hair
Left, by Alison Buck/Getty Images; right, by Evan Agostini/Getty Images

After the warm reception for her tribute to Julie Andrews at the 2015 Oscars, Lady Gaga will once again pay tribute to a titan of entertainment. The singer turned actress has plans to honor the late David Bowie at the 2016 Grammy Awards.

Shortly before the singers death last month, Lady Gaga spoke with Scott Feinberg of The Hollywood Reporter about Bowie’s influence on her career:

When I fell in love with David Bowie, when I was living on the Lower East Side, I always felt that his glamor was something he was using to express a message to people that was very healing for their souls. He is a true, true artist and I don’t know if I ever went, “Oh, I’m going to be that way like this,” or if I arrived upon it slowly, realizing it was my calling and that’s what drew me to him.

Though no specific details of the tribute have been released, we do know that longtime Bowie collaborator, Nile Rodgers, will be directing the segment. Rodgers produced Bowie’s best-selling album Let’s Dance, so it’s possible the tribute may include some hits from that record, which include “China Girl,” “Modern Love,” and the title track.

Grammy producer Ken Ehrlich says of the tribute:

We had already booked Lady Gaga on this year’s show, but when David passed — almost in a single moment — we knew we had to change direction. We immediately spoke and agreed that she should be the one to honor David. She’s perfect for it. So I reached out to Nile and, before long, we were on our way to creating what we believe will not only make a great Grammy moment, but one fitting of David.

The tribute is scheduled to last three or four songs and, according to Ehrlich, will honor not only Bowie’s contribution to the world of music but his “influence on fashion and pop culture in a broader way.”

The Bowie tribute will be just one of several live musical performances that evening. Adele, Ellie Goulding, Kendrick Lamar, Little Big Town, Carrie Underwood, and The Weeknd are also scheduled to take the stage when the Grammys air February 15 at eight P.M.